Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, Esq

Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, ESQ is an internationally recognized African Christian naturopath, legal scholar, public health policy analyst, and academic whose work focuses on the advancement, regulation, and institutionalization of naturopathic medicine and traditional healing systems across Africa. His interdisciplinary work bridges natural medicine, law, public health, education, and health economics, positioning him as one of the leading advocates for the professionalization of naturopathy on the African continent.

Prof. Nyarkotey Obu holds a PhD in Naturopathic Health Sciences from Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica. He also holds an MBA from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology through Accra Business School, and an MSc in Radiotherapy and Oncology (Prostate Cancer Module) from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom.

He earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from University of Cape Coast through Kings University College in Ghana, and was called to the Bar of the Supreme Court of The Gambia after completing his professional legal training at the Gambia Law School in Banjul. He is currently a Post-Call candidate at the Ghana School of Law, preparing to be called to the Ghana Bar.

In addition to his academic qualifications, Prof. Nyarkotey Obu holds several professional designations including Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC), Chartered Health Economist (ChE), Chartered Public Health Analyst, and Chartered Education Planner.

He is a prolific scholar and public intellectual, having published over 1,000 articles in leading national newspapers across Africa and more than 100 peer-reviewed academic papers. He is also the author of more than ten books published by Warnborough College in Ireland. He currently serves as Visiting Naturopathic Scholar at Warnborough College, Ireland, and Distinguished Visiting Naturopathic Scholar at the International Pharmacotherapy Education and Research Initiative (IPERI). He was appointed Full Professor of Naturopathy at Quetzalcoatl University of Veracruz in Mexico and serves as Honorary Professor at Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University in Ukraine. In 2025, he was ranked No. 1 Naturopathic Scientist in Ghana and Africa by the AD Scientific Index.

Prof. Nyarkotey Obu is widely known as a Christian naturopath, advocating that the principles of naturopathy align with biblical teachings on health, healing, nature, and lifestyle. He has contributed to the emerging field of Biblical Naturopathy, integrating Christian faith with natural medicine practice.

In Ghana, he led the development of the first National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine under the Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. He played a pioneering role in introducing naturopathic medicine in The Gambia and was honoured with the title "Father of Naturopathy in The Gambia" by the Gambia Society of Naturopathy. He currently serves as Legal Director of the Traditional Healers Association of The Gambia.

As Founding President of the African Naturopathic Federation, Prof. Nyarkotey Obu continues to advocate for the harmonization of naturopathic education and professional standards across Africa, appropriate regulatory frameworks, increased research collaboration, and the integration of naturopathic medicine into African public health systems.